New Canadian Anglican diocese backs gay blessings

OTTAWA (Reuters) - A fourth diocese in the Anglican Church
of Canada voted this week in favor of blessing same-sex unions,
the liberal denomination announced on Tuesday.

The church's Anglican Journal said the diocese of Huron
voted on Monday to ask the bishop to allow clergy to bless
homosexual marriages.

Bishop Bruce Howe said he concurred with the motion but --
as in the case of three other Canadian dioceses -- he would
consult with other bishops before acting on the vote.

Gay marriage is legal in Canada but the Anglican Church of
Canada and the Episcopal Church of the United States have run
afoul of the broader worldwide Anglican communion for either
allowing same-sex blessings by the church or, in the case of
Episcopals, ordaining a gay bishop.

Howe said he would do nothing before the decennial Lambeth
Conference of Anglican bishops in July.